Specops Software announced today the latest release of Specops Password Policy, 7.6, and the Specops Authentication Client, 7.15. This release introduces many new features, including dynamic feedback for end users at password change. With this release, users will now see feedback on the new passwords they choose at... Read More
Specops Software Blog
Specops partners with Duo Security to secure password resets
Partnership enables customers to improve security and eliminate barriers to end-user adoption. Specops Software announced that it is now a Duo Security Technology Partner. The technology partnership demonstrates a commitment to provide customers with solutions that can uplift security,... Read More
How to check if an AD account is locked out
The Account Lockout Policy in Active Directory Group Policy sets the number of failed sign-in attempts before a user account is locked out. Once the account is locked out, it cannot be used (even with the correct password) until... Read More
How to customize the password complexity message for domain users
Password policies standardize the process of ensuring that end-users choose passwords that meet both business and cybersecurity standards. Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services (ADDS) is commonly used to control identity and access management services in the enterprise, and subsequently... Read More
The Force won’t save you from these breached passwords #StarWarsDay
If your colleagues are Star Wars fans, they might be at risk for breached password use. This May the 4th, the unofficial Star Wars fandom holiday, Specops Software investigated which Star Wars themed passwords were most popular in breached... Read More
All About Password Entropy
This article takes a look at the Password Entropy calculation in Specops Password Auditor. What is entropy? Entropy is a concept borrowed from information theory. In the password context, entropy can be summarized as: how many guesses would it... Read More
And the Award for Most Popular Movie Used in Passwords Goes to…
A couple of weeks ago, we revealed the top Major League Baseball team names that are a homerun for hackers in conjunction with Opening Day. With the Oscars just around the corner, we’re refreshing our list to share the... Read More
HIPAA Security Rule Guidance for passwords
There are an alarming number of cyberattacks targeting the healthcare industry. In October 2020, the FBI released a security warning to hospitals and government agencies of an imminent danger of ransomware attacks. Attackers were said to be targeting healthcare... Read More
Weak Windows passwords blamed for recent rise in Purple Fox attacks
Purple Fox is malware that was first discovered in 2018 but has seen a recent rise in proliferation as hackers take advantage of a new attack method: weak passwords used over the SMB protocol. SMB (Server Message Block) is... Read More
German Federal Office for Information Security password guidance
The German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, abbreviated as BSI) is an agency responsible for information security for the German federal government. The BSI is also the central certification body for IT systems.... Read More